Duke and Duchess of Cambridge React to Mandela's Death (VIDEO)

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(Photo: Reuters)

Nelson Mandela's death on Thursday, Dec. 5 shocked the entire world, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Poignantly, Kate Middleton and Prince William were guests of honor at the Royal premiere of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" in London at the time that they learned of the remarkable leader's death.

"I just wanted to say, it's extremely sad and tragic news," William said after learning of Mandela's death, and directly after viewing the film about his life on Thursday night. "We are just reminded what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was."

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now," he added with his wife Middleton looking grieved beside him.

Watch the clip of Prince William here.

The Duke and Duchess were joined at the "Mandela" premiere by the South African leader's daughter, Zindzi Mandela, who also learned of the former president's death at the event.

Also among the premiere attendees was the star of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," Idris Elba, who played the lead role as Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

"Elba was in tears," an onlooker at the premiere told E! News. "Everyone was stunned, it was quite eerie. It felt surreal. It really was extraordinarily eerie."

Mandela leaves behind millions of people who are both mourning his death and celebrating his life today. A number of high profile people from across the world have sounded off on social media honoring the anti-apartheid revolutionary, including President Obama who described Mandela as "one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth."

"He no longer belongs to us; he belongs to the ages," said Obama.

On Friday, South Africa President Jacob Zuma announced that Mandela will have a state burial and funeral on Dec. 15, according to the Associated Press. President Obama is expected to attend.